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Rethinking Sixty Years of Sprawl

November 19, 2009, 5am PST

There's no looking back now in the shift away from suburbs to a more sustainable urban model, writes Andre Shashaty, president of the Partnership for Sustainable Communities.

"The time has come to declare that the "General Motors model" of urban planning is officially bankrupt. We must reinvest in existing urban centers, because reusing the infrastructure and restoring underutilized real estate is far more environmentally efficient than new construction, no matter how green that construction is. It's also time to change local land use laws to promote more compact development around transit and the availability of affordable housing close to jobs and services."

"A reversal of the ill effects of sprawl will take committed local officials who are willing to change land use policy and zoning even in the face of resistance. Architects, real estate developers, bankers, and city planners must collaborate to create vibrant urban spaces that meet consumers' needs."